Game Log "wolf hunt"

Week 2 – Day 4 ( after school )

The group split up after they were dismissed from class, everyone wanting a bit of time to relax, get some food, have a bath, etc, before going back to school that evening for the special meeting.

On the way home Aoki saw, in an ally, what seemed to be a fellow student being confronted by a shadow of a werewolf. Being alone and tired, she did not stop to investigate, but rather hurried home to call Terra. The acting Occult Club president said that she would report the matter to the student council wizard.

Meanwhile, Nagino the quiet girl who sits at the center of class, knocks on Kimmy’s door. She asks about what kind of demon will be summoned when a certain ritual ( she describes it in detail ) is performed. Kimmy being a Shinto shrine maiden has a good knowledge of rituals and she believes the one Nagino is talking about will summon a vengeance demon.

“Why are you asking all this?” Kimmy inquires.

“Because I witnessed a girl performing that ritual this evening. Unfortunately I could not confirm the identity of the caster or the target.” Nagano answers in her usual unemotional tone.

Kimmy calls Terra to ask about known spell casters in the school who might be able to do that ritual. She is surprised when Terra answered and urgently said “Can’t talk now, werewolf after us. Kanobi Park.”  

Kimmy says “I guess the demon will have to wait.” She then calls Aoki and Anya. “We have to save Terra from a werewolf.”

“Does anyone have a silver bullet?” Anya asks. Although her dad has a large collection of guns and ammo, silver bullets are not among his holdings.

As it turns out, it is one of Aoki’s hand, little Miki Wada who solves the problem of a silver weapon. She has her own special power to ‘snatch’ things. So after visualizing a silver knife for killing werewolves, she reaches into her backpack and pulls it out.

Thus we have Kimmy, Shine and Nagano, who insisted on coming along, meeting up with Aoki and Anya for the werewolf hunt. Naturally Anya is in full armor with a ton of guns.

When they explore the park they soon come across a few smoldering fires, what seems to be the burnt up corps of a giant wolf and two very beat up students; Terra and the wizard Dresdon. As Anya keeps a gun aimed at the corps, Aoki and Kimmy give first aid to the injured students. Then suddenly Dresdon regains consciousness and says “It’s not dead, yet.”

The werewolf, who had been quietly regenerating, snarls and attacks. Anya gets a few shots into it, before it slams her to the ground. Bullets don’t seem to do much at all. Aoki tries several times to stab it with the sliver knife, but the creature is very good at dodging.

The situation was looking bad until Nagano surprised everyone by grabbing the creature in a wrestling hold. She proved to be much stronger than she looked. She held it in place so Anya could drive the knife into its heart. As with many magical creatures it quickly dissolved into dust once it was actually dead.

After that it was off to the hospital for the injured, including Anya. The official report would read; kids attacked in park by big guy with knife.

Game Log "Time Trip Lunch Hour"

Week 2 – Day 4

Before class Professor Snake told Terra that plans were being set in motion to deal with the Army of Ghosts. The occult club would be asked to help, as would many of the students who had any sort of magical powers.

The day was normal and quiet during morning classes.

By lunch time there were notices all over the school announcing a special meeting that evening in the theater, held by the student council. Something had to be done about the ghosts sooner than later and it looked like the religious orders would take days to investigate and then more days to debate what should be done, so it was up to the students to act.

As lunch hour neared its end the group (with out Terra) returned the NBC suits to Doctor Watt in his lab. As a man of science he was curious about what they had seen in the ruins but did not believe in ghosts. Just as he was assuring them that there was a scientific explanation for everything, the world seemed to twist and fly apart.

When people (including a few other students) recovered from the unexpected distortion effect, they had lots of questions. But Doctor Watt was only half paying attention to them; he was mostly concerned with examining his experiment to find out what went wrong.

Meanwhile the group examined their surroundings. It seemed that the entire lab had been teleported inside an old barn, which it filled almost exactly. But that was not the biggest surprise. Outside they found what seemed to be a small European or American town, right out of the late1920s. Time travel, was this time travel? Then a rider on horse back came quickly down the road shouting “The Americans are coming, they will be here tomorrow, evacuate or be ready to fight.”

Doctor Watt explained that time travel was really a matter of moving between similar lines of reality. You can not actually go back into your own history because you would create a paradox. So even if you went to a past or future world that was almost identical, it would be another reality not another time. The students looked rather baffled, then asked the critical question; “Can you get us home?” To which the Doctor answered “Yes, but it may take a few days of work.”

At this point Aoki, being one the brightest students, asked a very odd question. “If we traveled to this alternate past and the lab is now inside a barn, where are we getting power from?” The lights immediately went out. The Doctor grumbled and quickly explained the theory of group reality construction as it related to quantum shifting mechanics. “Basically we had electricity as song as the group assumed that we should have it. When that was put in doubt, the local reality imposed itself on the lab.” Still there were looks of confusion.

After lighting up a cigarette Doctor Watt said “We need two things as soon as possible. First to find out where we are and what is going on. Second to get the power back on in here so I can fix the device.” 

Sainen volunteered to go find a newspaper and listen in to some local conversations. With his stealth suit invisibility it would be easy. He also planned to steal some clothes so it other people might blend in if they had to. The girls were the most obviously out of place, with their short skirts. Of course most of the group had no chance to pass for locals, being Japanese. Anya would be the best at passing for a native to the area.

When Sainen got back with the newspaper the gravity of their situation was reveled to the group. The year was 1933, the middle of the great depression. They were in Moncton a small town in one of Canada’s east coast provinces. ( not far from Anya’s home ) There was a war going on between America and Britain. More importantly there were American troops marching this way. They were heading for the port city of Halifax and Moncton was on the most direct land rout. In fact the small town had the only bridge on the lower Petitcodiac River. The newspaper made it clear that one way or another Moncton would try to stall the advancing army. The hope was that the Americans would be forced to detour around the town, adding many miles to their march.  Every day of delay would be precious time for the defenders at Halifax to get ready, and for the British to organize reinforcements.   

So not only was the group stuck in an alternate reality past, they were right in the middle of a war, with a few days of repair work needed on the device that would get them home. Could they stay in hiding that long?

What about the farmer who owns this barn? Anya asked. They would have to do something about him and his family. The group quickly came to the realization that simply hiding out would not work for very long. It certainly would not get them a source of power, which the Doctor needed if he was to keep working.

It was at that point that Doctor Watt pulled out his note book and wrote down a few things as he explained his plan. Sainen and Anya would pose as Royal Canadian Army officers in the special division. They would talk with the farmer explaining that the Crown was using his barn for a secret mission. Then they would go into town and talk with the local militia commander or police chief. They would pick up a few supplies and a truck, which could be used as a power generator so long as its engine kept running. The Doctor then handed over a very official looking piece of paper.

Although Sainen and Anya looked a bit skeptical, they went along with the plan. The farmer found it very odd but he was quite agreeable, his wife even offered to make the group some dinner. The militia commander hardly gave the matter a second glance. He was occupied with the defense works down by the river. Although the special agents looked a bit odd, the orders on paper seemed perfectly genuine.

So by late afternoon everything was in hand. Sainen had even managed to get 4 rifles and 2 pistols, along with a box of bullets from the militia. Aanya was not very happy with the heavy old rifle, but it did offer better long range fire than her 9mm pistols.

The group kept watch during the night in shifts, as the Doctor worked on the device. Around midnight there was a single large explosion down by the river. It was Sainen’s guess that the bridge had been blown up, most likely because the American advanced troops had reached it.

Things were quiet until the morning. That is when the exchange of cannon fire began, and the sound of airplanes buzzing overhead could be heard. The Canadians only had a few small cannons and a half dozen aircraft, all of these surplus WW I equipment. The Americans quickly amassed a dozen guns but they were slow to bring their airplanes into the fight. All through the morning there was the booming and buzzing sounds from down by the river. Then it got quiet after a particularly heavy volley of fire from the Americans.

Around noon a rider came along the road announcing the news; the invaders were putting together a raft bridge, every man with a rifle was needed down at the waterfront. 

The gunfire and occasional volley of cannon shots rang out through the afternoon. It was nerve racking to listen to the fighting while doing nothing. From the hay loft one could see more or less where the action was taking place, but that was nearly 2 miles off so few details were discernable. What was clear was that the Americans had a lot of troops on the other side of the river.

People kept asking Doctor Watt “Will it be fixed soon?” His answer was “Tomorrow, if things go well.”

By nightfall the Americans had pushed across enough men to make a solid foot hold. In desperation the Canadians launched a night attack. Of course the group in the barn could hear the fighting but it was impossible to tell what was going on.  Although Anya very much wanted to sneak down and sabotage the American bridge, Seinen talked her out of it.  

At dawn a rider came along the road announcing the invaders were coming across in full force. The town would be in their hands by noon.

“How about now doc?”

“Not quite ready yet. Soon.”

It was as the Doctor was putting the last few bits of his device back together that the Americans came marching a group of prisoners past the barn. Seinen was on look at the door and Anya was up in the hay loft. They both witnessed the attempted escape of one of the prisoners, which resulted in the brutal beating of the lot.

As it seemed one of the soldiers was intent on clubbing a prisoner to death with his rifle but, Anya could keep quiet no more. She fired a good clean head shot. Down went the trooper. Seinen growled something about “Stupid girl can’t follow orders.” then opened fire too.

The soldiers were surprised, allowing another trooper to fall before they took what little cover they could find. They returned fire into the house and barn erratically for a few seconds. But it was a losing battle for them. Anya and Seinen cut them down very fast.

The prisoners of course made a run for it.

Everything seemed to be going fine for a few minutes, until a second group of soldiers showed up, this one larger than the first. As they closed in everyone got ready to defend the barn, even Kimmy and Shin.

“That has it.” Doctor Watt exclaimed as bullets thumped into the barn at an alarming rate. Then the world seemed to spin, twist and blur. The lab with in the barn returned to its proper place and time.    

For the group it has been a grueling few days. For everyone else it has been only a few seconds. It was still the same day, the same lunch hour.  

Equipment for the PCs

1. The ultra-tech sun glasses.  Basic full frame glasses, DR 2 offers eye protection from front and sides. They have anti-glare features as per good sun glasses, +5 vs flash effects. They also work as low light enhancers, +5 vs darkness penalties, but they require some ambient light to function. They have a digital camera, average quality 1000 photo memory. They have a dedicated short range ( 1 km) encrypted radio link to Ed the AI. They also can function as a regular cell phone. They have an IR mode to detect heat patterns. The combat software built in helps track friends and enemies. A related optical range calculator is also available. ( A laser range finger was not installed because many high tech defense systems are sensitive to them. ) They function for 48 hours before needing recharge.

2. The bio-plastic amour suit. One size fits all, full body suit, except for the head. It has DR 15. Bio-plastic is self healing at a rate of 1 point / hour. It also has three pre-programmed color patterns; Invisible, the suit -not the user- is hard to notice. Night sneaking, +2 stealth in dark areas. Regular clothing mode, so it looks like a sports suit.

3. Mini medical kit gives +2 to first aid skill. A single serious injury will use up most of its supplies.

Game Log "ghosts p1"

Week 2 – Day 3

As the group sat around together at lunchtime they talked about what project they should pursue next for the Occult club. The subject of ghosts came up and they determined to look into the club flies that afternoon once school was done.

The case that seemed most interesting was the near constant reports of ghost sightings from the near by no-habitation zone. Aside from the few main media stories; which included blurry photos and video of ghosts in the ruins, there were dozens of reports and over one hundred rumors about strange things. The club had quite a file on it all, including the investigation report from club members a few years ago who went into the ruins looking for ghosts. They had found a few, but were unable to deal with them in any meaningful way. “The ghosts at first seemed scary, but when we did not run, it was they who did.”

After some talk about how to proceed, it is decided to go visit Dr Watt and borrow a few radiation suits and rad-counters. The outer area of the no-habitation zone was known to be safe enough, but towards the middle there were dangerous levels of radiation.

So it was late afternoon, about an hour before dark, when the group entered the zone. They put on their protective suits, a lengthy task because no one had any real experience with such equipment, then they started walking towards the center.

In the outer area of the zone, things had been scavenged over the years. Some homeless lived there. Deeper in there was the yellow “caution radiation” line, beyond which it was hazardous in a long term kind of way. Those scavengers who were desperate or well equipped often crossed that line. About 250m beyond that were the red “extreme danger” signs. This was there area that looked so very spooky because it had been untouched for almost 20 years. Most things were just as they had been on the day the bomb exploded.   

It was here that the group met a few ghosts, about 10 of them. They screamed and howled; trying to frighten off the intruders. But the group held fast, hiding within a magic circle of protection. One of the ghosts, who seemed to be the leader, spoke briefly with Sainen. Then the rocks began to fly.

The group was in real trouble. Terra had passed out, Kimi and Shine were alternating between being frozen with fear and wanting to run away, and Aoki had very little strength left to spend on her spells. The rocks of course were not deadly on their own, but each had a chance of ripping the radiation suits.

Fortunately Aoki cast a spell to scatter the spirits, temporarily forcing them to ‘go home’. Of course she fell unconscious as this was done with the last of her fatigue. So the group made its hasty exit from the zone, with Sainen carrying Terra and Anya carrying Aoki.

When they were safe and Terra regained consciousness, she called Professor Snape to make her report. “There is an army of ghosts in the ruins.”

Battle Suits 101

 Today class we will review the basic info about the battle suits and powered armor that has been developed over the past 20 years. We will not cover the pure robotic units or the giant mecha fighting vehicles.

First Generation USA – Powered Infantry Armour  ( LW-PA )

It is not what most people think of when the hear “powered armour” but it is the first real fighting suit that has muscle enhancements built into a protective frame. The suit was developed in secret by the USA in the early 2000s, as part of the “Land Warrior” Project.   Of course several other nations were testing similar suits when WW 3 began in 2013. 

The suit was used by commando teams by both sides in the American civil war.

The main features of the suit are; Armour against all small arms and grenades. ( DR 30 ) Strength enhancements so a full combat load of equipment would feel like almost nothing. ( +4 ST +2 HT ) A set of sensor and communications systems tied to a hardened in-suit computer. ( including a plug in link to a camera on the weapon ) A life support system, to deal with NBC war, including filters and a 30 minute air tank.

Because of the extensive combat it saw, the LW-PA v1.5 was produced after the war with useful improvements – based on troop recommendations. It is a very practical combat system. 

First Generation – Japanese “Mini Mecha” Powered Battle Suit

The first “Mini Mecha Suit” it was developed by Japan before WW 3 as a rescue unit that could be sent in to extremely dangerous zones. Its fully sealed body had armour to resist small arms and sizable explosions, ( DR 50 ) as well as fire and a water depth of 50 m. Its life support was made to deal with NBC situations and it had 2 hours of air. Its jet pack gave it a long hop of 40 m and a vertical jump of 20 m. 

Unlike the strength enhancement used by the US Infantry Suit, these units used a full artificial muscle-hydraulic system. ( ST 30 )

On the left shoulder is the periscope sensor suit, with both passive and active ability. On the right shoulder is the “weapon” originally intended to be a fire fighting 30mm glop-grenade launcher. Both systems are integral to the jet pack assembly.

The Mini Mecha were used by Japan against China between 2013-15. Although it was highly effective in combat, there were many complaints about the units. Lack of attachment points for extra equipment. Poor manageability in tight spaces. Next to no stealth ability. No quick release for the jet pack assembly. 

   

Here is a 2014 MM-2 model; built along same basic line, but with combat features integral to it. Most noticeable is the replacement of the grenade launcher with a gun – a 25mm recoilless rifle with a 1.5 km effective range.  

German “Thumper” Powered Infantry Battle Suit

It was developed after the war in a British – German arms agreement. From its beginning it addressed most of the problems with the US powered infantry armour and the Japanese Mini Mecha battle suits. ( poor manoeuvrability was a key complaint about the MMs )

The first production run of Thumpers was in 2017.

It was built mainly as a ground assault unit. A jump pack was made, but jumping was not its core movement type. ( in this regard the MMs with their multiple mini correction thrusters, were more agile ) However on the ground the Thumper had the advantage because it could do real hand-to-hand combat, including some acrobatics.

Because the thumper was expected to engage in down and dirty fighting, it had more armour and strength that the First Generation MMs. ( DR 60, ST 40 ) It also mounted some unusual fixed arm weapons; a 3 shot mini missile launcher on its right arm and a sword-blade on its left. A standard heavy rifle was carried and ammo pouched for it were integral to the suit’s waist line.

Other back mounted equipment packages were made, including heavy weapons.

The v-1 units used almost no tech from the Macross project. The v-2 units, those produced after 2027 did. Exact details are classified.

French “Lafayette” Powered Infantry Battle Suit

At the same time the Thumper was being designed, the French in partnership with Italy built the first real stealth battle suit. The first production run of was in 2018.

Although protection was important, agility and guile were top priorities. To this end the Lafayette had less armour and strength than the German or Japanese units. ( DR 40, ST 20 ) Its life support ability was similar, although it was not intended for deep water use.    

The advantages of the Lafayette were its adaptive camouflage system and its superior sensor suit. The French declined to develop the “invisibility” field that several military corporations were working on. Instead they went with a system that could change the suit’s colour pattern and even its texture, in addition to providing stealth against IR and thermo graphics.

Also revolutionary to the French battle suit was the laser rifle that was its main weapon. The rifle had both an internal power cell and a cable, for connecting to other sources of power; like the suit itself.

In a controversial move the suit was not equipped with any built in weapons other than a ‘switch blade’ in the left arm. Unlike the Thumper’s sword, this was a stiletto, intended to stab-pierce enemy armour.  

The v-1 units used almost no tech from the Macross project. The v-2 units, those produced after 2024 did. Exact details are classified.

Russian “Zog” Powered Infantry Battle Suit

Most details about it are still classified; although it is known to have a lot in common with the Thumper units. From promotional video, made public in 2020, we know that it has a small jump ability built in, that seems to combine jets and extra strength leg power.

The standard weapons shown here are a 4-pack missile launcher and a under slung laser weapon. It is believed that the armour is one of the new highly reflective types developed by the Macross project.

Rumour has it that various back mounted equipment packs have been made, including a 30mm rail over the shoulder gun. 

 

American “Headless” Powered Infantry Battle Suit

Designed in partnership with Japan in 2014, by the USA- Federalist Faction, the first production run was not until 2018. Although the developer argued to use some tech from the Macross project, the Government insisted that it be a 100% human tech machine.

The Headless seeks to combine the best of the LW-PA and the MMs. Unlike most suits that have a helmet with direct view visor, it fully protects the user and offers a panoramic CG-Interface. Several cameras and sensors, including a periscope unit, feed into the computer for display.

The armour value and strength are slightly higher than the MMs ( DR 50, ST 35 ) While the built in jump ability is about half the MMs ( 20m long, 10m high ) The life support abilities are similar also.

Unlike most other powered suits, the Headless only has one hand, the left. The right arm being fully integrated into a 25mm cannon. It also mounts an integral 9mm SMG into the left arm. To increase fire power a 3 pack of missiles is mounted over the right shoulder.

The manoeuvrability of the suit is good, although it was not really intended for hand to hand combat. Its stealth ability is focused on defeating radar and long range sensors typically used by attack choppers, aircraft and tanks.  

The v-2 units produced after 2024, have a 50cal machine gun in the right arm.   

Second Generation Power Armour – UN Space Force “Main Boy”

This slim suit is in some ways closer to the old LW-PA than to the Mini Mecha units. However it is a hybrid Human-Alien tech device from the ground up. The first production run of the UN-Main Boy suits was in 2026.

While the suit offers limited armour ( DR 30 ), it is fully self contained and able to function in all environments, including space. It has a 24 hour air supply. Although a bit bulky its weight is surprisingly low and the user hardly notices it at all thanks to the strength enhancement ability. ( ST +8 HT +4 ) Also of importance is the integral jump system, mostly built into the legs. ( 20m long, 10m high )

Sensor and communications systems are nothing special, except for the rather advanced holographic display inside the helmet, which includes a look behind your option.

The suit has no built in weapons, but does have attachment points for them on both arms and shoulders and there is room for a back pack. The idea of modular construction was part of the core design for the UN-MB

One back mounted unit known to exist is a winged jet pack that offers full flight.

The weapons modules are classified, so are the stealth abilities. 

Second Generation – Japanese “Mini Mecha” Powered Battle Suit

This unit combines Human-Alien tech on a pattern similar to the first MMs. The jet pack is detachable but was designed as a standard feature of the suit. It offers full flight ability including hover mode. The first production run for the F-MMs began in 2024.

Its ground performance is improved, while it maintains the best jump / flight agility of any powered armour in production. It has solid ( DR 70 ) armour and a respectable strength rating ( ST 35 )

It has full life support ability and can function in space. It has a 24 hour air supply. Its sensors and communications are slightly improved over the old MMs. It also mounts an improved sensor periscope, seen here attached to the left shoulder.

The unit has no integral weapons instead it uses a modular system similar to the UN-MB. Here we see it with a laser on the right arm and a twin 9mm SMG on the left arm.

It employs basic “reliable” stealth systems and the advanced “not-so-reliable” invisibility field generators. 

Chine’s “Wa Ping” Powered Battle Suit

This is technically a second generation battle suit, although China’s first suits never made it to production. It incorporates some good ideas from existing suits with a lot of Macross project technology. The first Wa Ping rolled off the assembly line in 2028.

It has serious armour ( DR 60 ) and strength ( ST 40 ) with a camouflage systems derived from the Lafayette. Its life support is a full system able to work in space and underwater. It has a 24 hour air supply. In addition to basic NBC protection, it has an extra layer of radiation shielding intended to deflect solar gamma rays when in space.

The built in jump systems offer standard performance ( 20m long, 10m high ). The sensor and communications suit is also average in its ability. The built in weapons include a sword blade in the right arm and a 4 pack missile launcher in the left arm.

The standard weapon, shown here, is a hand held shotgun style; 20mm grenade launcher. Arguably not a very modern weapon, but it has proven very durable in field tests.

The most interesting equipment add-on, which is known about, is the back pack anti-missile system. It combines an active sensor periscope with an auto laser.   

Second Generation American “Assault-Combat-Suit”

The ACS is a combination of ideas from the Headless suits and Macross project. It has no hands, a fact many have criticized. But the army claims it will be used along side normal infantry, so it does not really need hand. Like the Headless, the user is entirely with in the suit. The head of the unit is simply a sensor suit, and a target for snipers who like to kill pilots with head shots. The first production run began in 2027.

It has serious armour ( DR 60 ) and average strength ( ST 30 ) with both basic and advanced stealth abilities. Its life support abilities are standard, with a built in mini-medic, that can keep the pilot going even after he suffers serious wounds.

The built in jump systems offer good performance ( 40m long, 20m high ). The sensor and communications suit is also above average in its ability. Rumour has it there is a anti-missile system.

The built in weapons are a 20mm Gatling gun in the right arm and a laser in the left.

 

OLAS - Power Armour “Panther” Suit

The Panther suit is a direct descendant of the LW-PA units, a soldier augmentation system rather than a mini mecha. Although it includes some Alien tech, it is mostly human in all its aspects. Unlike the highly versatile, compact and expensive UN-MB units, the Panther is designed for ground war on Earth ( in South America specifically ). To this end it has dedicated jungle and mountain usage features. It went into mass production in 2022. 

Its life support is good for NBC situations, but not for space or deep water. It has a 1 hour air supply. Its cooling systems are among the best. Its sensors; all passive, are top notch and include a look behind you feature, however its communications systems are only average. 

It has a dedicated jump system ( 30m long, 15m high ) Its armour value is good ( DR 35 ) and its strength is excellent for an augmentation system ( +10ST, +5HT ). It has first rate adaptive camouflage, good stealth qualities and a Mark-2 invisibility field.

The Panther is surprisingly agile and able to engage in hand to hand combat. The bulky look it has here is because it is fully loaded with all extra carry on equipment packs.

( None of these are my art - thanks to all the people who did the work )